| Flexible learning [FL] is all about delivering quality | | | | exercises are accessible through FL online courses, |
| education around the needs of the student who | | | | thanks to the capabilities of the virtual learning |
| has work and family commitments. The | | | | environment. Web based applications can facilitate |
| philosophies and theories of FL concern making | | | | a range of functions that in many ways can have |
| education accessible to a broad range of students, | | | | a better impact on student results than a |
| and enabling students to make the most of it in | | | | conventional campus based college. |
| the time frame and course structure that is right | | | | So, although FL is not necessarily dependent on a |
| for them. | | | | range of web based technologies, when the |
| Thanks to the technologies of e-learning, such as | | | | technology exists to support and develop the |
| the virtual learning environment and online | | | | delivery of online education, then it can only |
| degrees, flexible learning is a strong feature of | | | | expand the range of students who may not |
| many online courses available to students in full | | | | otherwise find it possible to study for an online |
| time work. | | | | degree. |
| FL suits employers too, because students often | | | | The future of FL seems to be more and more |
| find that an online or distance education course will | | | | linked to the development of the virtual education |
| fit in around their work /family schedule. | | | | environment. For instance, distance learning |
| Furthermore, staff at colleges that offer courses | | | | courses now feature a much greater range of |
| delivered via the FL format will also understand | | | | study activities thanks to innovations and |
| that their students are also professional people. | | | | development of Internet education applications. |
| This helps in two main ways - that teachers of | | | | Yet the self-motivation and discipline attributes of |
| online degrees and FL will recognise that the | | | | the student remain the same as any education |
| course needs to be delivered with the student's | | | | platform for any flexible or distance online |
| other responsibilities in mind, and that they could | | | | education programme to be of benefit. |
| be in a career that will both contribute to, and | | | | Studies show though, that employers see flexible |
| benefit from, their chosen path of FL. | | | | learning as a necessary path to increasing their |
| Engaging students in the e-learning environment is | | | | employee's skills and knowledge, with a |
| the key to making sure the technology is | | | | professional attitude to studies already engrained |
| accessible, functional and easy to use. This sits | | | | from study-related aptitudes in the workplace. |
| comfortably with the philosophy of FL, where | | | | Far from being an easy approach to learning, FL |
| focusing educvation resources and course work in | | | | merely exists to support students who would |
| tune with the professional schedule of the student | | | | otherwise find it impractical to attend a college in |
| can achieve better engagement with the online | | | | a traditional setting. For employers and staff alike, |
| education. | | | | FL is the education platform of choice. |
| Components such as project work and team | | | | |